Royal Navy’s minehunter HMS Hurworth paid a visit to Loch Ewe when it popped in to stock up on fuel and supplies during the biggest war games being run in the UK.
During this visit, the vessel also managed to put a huge smile on the faces of two groups of youngsters aged five to 11 from Poolewe Primary School who toured the minehunter.
They were treated to a look around the 196ft ship, made themselves at home in the captain’s chair on the bridge and had a go at fire-fighting.
HMS Hurworth, a Portsmouth-based Hunt-Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel, is one of four minehunters taking part in the international Joint Warrior, hosted in western Scotland each spring and autumn and testing the ability of naval, air and ground forces to work together.
Hurworth led her Hunt-class sister Middleton and Sandown-class minehunters Pembroke and Ramsey through The Minches and into the Loch Ewe, which is a regular haunt for smaller Royal Navy vessels in particular during exercises in Scottish waters. As part of the exercise, the vessels ensured the ‘vital port’ remains open to trade.
Hurworth’s clearance divers jumped into the cool waters and scoured the sea bed around the jetty at Drumchork.
With stores loaded and children back on dry land, Hurworth resumed her role in Joint Warrior, which draws to a close on Thursday.
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Image: Royal Navy